Educational Foundation Mini-Grant Awards

The Center to Promote Excellence welcomes mini-grant applications from faculty. Mini-grants are funded by the Foundation Board of Delaware County Community College and made available through The Center.

After applications are submitted, members of the Professional Development Committee evaluate proposals and submit the recommended names and descriptions of the projects to the participating members of the Foundation Board for final approval. The recipients of the Excellence in Teaching grant awards are announced at the Honors and Awards Committee Meeting of the Board in May.

Program Guidelines

All mini-grant applications will be evaluated by the standing members of the Professional Development Committee (listed on the right), as well as by the Director of The Center. All grant monies will be approved by the Foundation Board of Delaware County Community College.

The grant applications will be judged using a point system of 1 through 5, with 5 as the highest rating. General criteria are listed on the website; a direct relationship to the mission of the Center, a clear description of the project, a plan to evaluate and share project results, clear budget descriptions, and the involvement of multiple disciplines and/or faculty in the project will be considered attributes of a strong proposal.

A typical budget submission might include line items for travel expenses, supplies, equipment needed, stipend amount (if applicable), and personnel expense (such as the typing of a report or other clerical needs). Try to be as specific as reasonably possible.

Because the Center recognizes the efforts of faculty, as well as the inherent value of all submitted applications, all projects meeting the general guidelines and criteria will be considered.

Feel free to contact the Center’s Director or any member of the Professional Development Committee if you have questions.

Project proposals will be judged on the following criteria:

The project aligns itself with the mission and goals of The Center to Promote Excellence at Delaware County Community College

The project promotes excellence in teaching and learning via activities related to the personal, instructional, or institutional components of professional development as described by The Center to Promote Excellence

The project proposal includes evidence of instructional benefit and application for students and/or support of the professional development of faculty and/or staff

The project application includes a brief itemized budget outlining the use of the requested monies

The project proposal includes a plan for reporting the results of the project to faculty, as well as the Foundation Board (Example: a synopsis report to be presented to the Board and included in the Center’s professional library, as well as a brief presentation to faculty, staff, and/or administrators during a scheduled faculty meeting or in-service day)

Eligibility: All full-time faculty are eligible. Instructors who teach at least three courses in one semester are also welcome to apply.

Timeline: Applications are due in The Center by January 31. Faculty will be notified of award decisions the beginning of May.